DR. WALLACE: I'm a 15-year-old boy, and my brother is 7. He always thinks that everything that I get to do or item I get to have is something he should be allowed to do or have also.

For example, my dad just gave me a cell phone, because he wants me to be able to text him when I am over at my friend's house, for example. I'm just now starting to get the freedom of being out on my own a bit, but my parents want to know where I am at all times, plus they want me to be able to call for help if I ever need it. And my phone is only a very basic phone, not a smartphone.

But all of this causes my little brother to throw tantrums and call me names. He feels he's being discriminated against. What can I do to get back to a normal relationship with my little brother? — The Eldest Brother, via email

THE ELDEST BROTHER: Perhaps you can arrange a time to take your younger brother with you once in a while when you go to a friend's house on a Saturday, for example.

Of course, you should get permission from your parents in advance, but while you're away, you could let your little brother send a text to mom and dad, or be the one to call them on the phone to update them when you'll both be home. These small, supervised snippets of "responsibility" can hopefully at least partially quench his thirst to be as big and "grown up" as you are but will also expose him to the concepts of being responsible for doing things your parents want done.

Your parents can also tell him that when he reaches your age, he will be given the same tools that you have. That should give him something to look forward to. You can also explain that you will soon learn to drive and take your driver's test, but that he will also have to wait on that issue until he is old enough.

Your brother wants to feel as grown up as you do, so include him whenever you can with your activities, but consistently tell him that many rites of passage in life occur at specific times. Also be sure to tell him that you will always be there to help him, coach him and encourage him as he ages. Keeping him lightly involved for now via your own experiences and explaining honestly how things work will slowly bring him into the understanding you seek. Taking time to become involved with him will help a great deal towards reestablishing your brotherly bonds.

WHAT I OVERHEARD REALLY BOTHERED ME

DR. WALLACE: I've overheard harassing comments from one student to another, and I don't know either of them. What was said and done was absolutely out of line.

My high school closes for the summer in less than two weeks. Should I say anything to anyone, or just hope that the summer break cools this sad situation off a bit? I'm not the type to usually get involved in anyone else's business, but this was bad enough that it gave me pause. — Uncomfortable To Hear, Unsure What To Do, via email

UNCOMFORTABLE TO HEAR, UNSURE WHAT TO DO: Hearing what you did made enough of an impression on you to write to this column and mention it. I feel you should immediately step up and let your school's management office know about what you heard and who said it. Imagine how the other student feels. Apparently, nobody is standing up for this person at this time. Go one step further than writing here and actually tell an authority figure on your campus what is occurring.

It should be fine for your notification to be kept anonymous, and be sure to tell the person you speak with that you do not know either person involved at all. Simply mention that you found the matter egregious enough that your conscience and character caused you to step up, despite your first instinct not to get involved. A good school administrator will not only understand and appreciate where you are coming from but will handle the situation promptly without having to involve you further.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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